Loading, please wait...

Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Interlaced Beast Mount Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Interlaced Beast Mount Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Interlaced Beast Mount
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 1649

Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Interlaced Beast Mount

11TH CENTURY A.D.

7/8 in. (2.92 grams, 22 mm).

With openwork Urnes Style design of coiled serpent with head at the lower edge, two upper coils forming the attachment loops.

Provenance

Found Doncaster, UK.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Literature

Cf. Hammond, Brett, British Artefacts Volume 3 - Late Saxon, Late Viking & Norman, 2013, p.27 for explanation of the style; and p.53, Fig.1.6-n, for an example of another Urnes style mount.

Footnotes

The style of the piece is very reminiscent of a bronze Urnes Style brooch in the Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen published in Wilson, D.M. and Klindt-Jensen, O. Viking Art, London, 1968, pl.LXXIII (f). The swept curves of the tendrils which enmesh the serpent's body are a noted feature of the style, which is found also in the great Norwegian stave churches and elsewhere.

CONDITION
VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1649

Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Interlaced Beast Mount

Sold for (Inc. bp): £416

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Viking Silver-Gilt Bird Pendant with Bearded Mask
    Viking Silver-Gilt Bird Pendant with Bearded Mask
    9th-10th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380

    Comprising a stylised bird in plan with high-relief detailing, pellet eyes, knotwork to the shoulders and gilt bands below, bearded mask to the lower back and knotwork disc above, niello detailing, hollow to the underside, two wire loops to the lateral flanges. 32.3 grams, 70 mm



    Acquired from Marcus Hollersberger, Solophurn, Switzerland, in 1980. From the collection of a London antiquarian, formed since the 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12736-234209. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Scandinavian Pre-Viking Bronze Mount on Leather Strap Section
    Scandinavian Pre-Viking Bronze Mount on Leather Strap Section
    6th-7th century A.D.

    Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £300

    Modelled in the half-round, profile figure with drinking horn, attached to a fragment of leather strap. 2.84 grams, 34 mm



    From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Viking Age Gold Elfshot Pendant
    Viking Age Gold Elfshot Pendant
    9th-11th century A.D. or earlier

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £260

    Comprising a D-shaped gold cap with integral loop above, inset glass bead. 1.30 grams, 19 mm



    Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    This amulet was believed to offer protection against 'Elfshot'. The attack of elves was believed responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock: sudden shooting pains localised to a particular area of the body, such as in rheumatism, arthritis or muscle stitches or cramps. Elves were thought to shoot darts or arrows where such pains had no obvious external cause. Belief in elfshot persisted into the 20th century in rural areas, and as proof country folk would sometimes find small arrowheads (the remains of Neolithic or Mesolithic flints, or naturally-occurring spear-shaped stones) that were believed to be the magical weapons that caused the afflictions. Belief in elfshot began in the Pagan Germanic period.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list